
John Jacobs, Ph.D. Analyst, NSBT Japan
At DSEI Japan 2025, the third edition of the biannual exhibition connecting Japan’s defense industry with the global community, held at Chiba’s Makuhari Messe from 21 to 23 May, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Japan Marine United (JMU) showcased their latest ships under development, which are scheduled for delivery to the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) in the next few years.
The surface vessels showcased by two of Japan’s major shipbuilders included MHI’s “New FFM” upgrade of the Mogami-class multi-role frigate featuring improved anti-air warfare (AAW) and unmanned mine-hunting capabilities, JMU’s next-generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) to surveil Japan’s territorial waters using autonomous intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms, and a fast landing craft co-developed with the United Kingdom’s BMT to enable the rapid deployment of JSDF personnel and equipment to remote islands in Japan’s southwest.
All three of these naval assets can be expected to contribute to meeting the country’s maritime capability needs and enhance naval partnerships with like-minded nations amid the JSDF’s rapidly evolving strategic environment.
Japan’s Maritime Capability and Partnership Requirements
On the second day of DSEI Japan, Rear Admiral Takeshi Yoshioka, Vice President of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Command and Staff College, provided comprehensive insights into the maritime security challenges that Japan is currently facing.

Rear Admiral Yoshioka observed a “new era of crisis” and the most complex security environment facing the international community since World War II. Japan’s own landscape is especially severe, marked by intensifying gray-zone challenges, military buildups, and coercive unilateral actions in the East and South China Seas. Strategic competition is also intensifying, with significant changes in power balances. Further afield, Houthi attacks on maritime vessels in the Red Sea are degrading freedom of navigation and straining allied naval ammunition stockpiles.
In this increasingly contested and complex maritime environment, Yoshioka explained that the JMSDF’s three primary objectives are to 1) defend of Japan’s maritime territory, 2) secure the safety of maritime traffic and sea lines of communications (SLOCs), and 3) work with like-minded partners to shape a more desirable international security environment.[1] Moreover, Rear Admiral Yoshioka observed that maritime warfare is no longer limited to aerial, surface or subsurface engagements. Rather, it is now cross-domain, including cyber, space, electromagnetic, and cognitive warfare.
The JMSDF is having to adapt to such multi-domain hybrid threats, as well as the growing prevalence of unmanned systems and high-speed weapons (e.g. hypersonic missile systems), amid Japan’s own resource constraints and a shrinking population. In these conditions, Japan’s naval force is under pressure to maintain 24/7 domain awareness via surface, subsurface, and aerial assets in order to ensure rapid detection and response.
To meet such demands, the JMSDF is engaging in training exercises with like-minded partners and changing its force structure to be able to conduct high-speed, high-volume operations. The Japanese navy is also investing in technological innovations, with acquisition of unmanned systems for ISR and attack roles a key focus in achieving cost-effectiveness while maintaining operational safety. Finally, the JMSDF is focusing on improving command-and-control (C2) and intelligence structures to outperform adversaries, and is enhancing transport and logistics infrastructure to support extended operations.
MHI’s “Future Multi-mission Frigate AAW”
On display at both the MHI booth and JMSDF stand was the “Future Multi-mission Frigate AAW” (FMF AAW), also known as the “new FFM” or “Upgraded Mogami”, a stealthy vessel designed to feature state-of-the-art AAW capabilities that will bolster survivability vis-à-vis aerial threats.
MHI was successfully awarded the FMF AAW contract based on a concept the company first proposed in August 2023. At this year’s DSEI Japan, MHI notes that it plans incorporate the design and features of the current FFM Mogami-class stealth frigate, which is currently in service with the JMSDF, while also looking to make upgrades based on lessons learned from the original.[2]

MHI notes that the new FMF AAW will, like the FFM Mogami, feature a “low signatures design, higher speed, reduced lifecycle cost, mine hunting capabilities and less crew operations”. At the same time, this new FFM will feature improved “air defense capability and survivability” and is to be fitted for “cooperative mine hunting operations” conducted by unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs).[3]

Turning to key specifications, the new FMF AAW is expected to have a speed comparable to the current FFM Mogami, exceeding 30 knots. However, the new FFM will be approximately 9 meters longer than the currently-in service Mogami-class frigates, have a displacement about 700 tons greater, and feature a beam roughly 1 meter wider.

The JMSDF is set to receive the first of 12 of the upgraded Mogami-class frigates in 2027. Japan has also pledged to deliver the same class of vessel to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), as part of Tokyo’s ongoing effort to have MHI’s upgraded Mogami design selected over Germany’s MEKO A-200 as the replacement for Australia’s aging ANZAC-class of frigates.[4]
JMU’s Offshore Patrol Vessel
At this year’s DSEI Japan, JMU similarly showcased a new image of its latest design for the next-generation OPV, of which a total of 12 vessels are expected to be delivered to the JMSDF.
The primary role of the prospective OPV is to conduct surveillance of the waters surrounding Japan. As the JMSDF has to maintain continuous, 24/7 monitoring of maritime traffic across vast coastal areas, the OPVs are expected to be able to operate for long periods at sea and feature an automated, manpower-saving design.[5]

The design shown at DSEI Japan 2025 highlights the vessel’s “Multi-Purpose/Flexible Design with Superior Characteristics”.[6] It features two rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) for disaster relief operations. JMU’s latest illustration also highlights the OPV’s unmanned systems. It is expected that a number of the vessels will be equipped with the U.S.-based Shield AI’s “V-Bat”; a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone that will serve as the JMSDF’s first dedicated maritime ISR platform.[7] Also of note in the latest OPV design is the presence of a gun mount adaptable up to 76mm, a departure from the fixed 30mm gun in JMU’s original concept submitted to the Japan Ministry of Defense (JMOD) in 2022.

Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) previously laid out in 2021 the specific capabilities required of the prospective OPV.[8] These include ISR capabilities, medium-and-small caliber guns, a multi-purpose hanger and flight deck, autonomous navigation capabilities, and modular payloads. Like MHI’s FMF AAW, the OPV is also expected to incorporate the indigenous radar “UNICORN” (= UNIted COnbined Radio aNtenna) in order to achieve a low radar cross section (RCS).
In 2022, JMU was subsequently awarded the prime contract to deliver the OPV, with MHI selected as subcontractor. This outcome was reached based on JMOD and ATLA criteria for an advanced ship design and construction, an ability to work with those companies involved in onboard equipment and systems, and a capability in managing an integrated approach to the ship’s design, maintenance, and sustainment.[9]
JMU is slated to complete construction of the first 4 OPVs by 2026.[10] As part of this batch, the first two vessels are currently on course to be launched this November, while the third and fourth are scheduled for March 2026.[11] An additional two are expected to be built 2026-2028.[12] JMOD’s 2022 “Defense Buildup Program” envisions the total delivery of all twelve OPVs by around the year 2032.[13]
JMU and BMT’s Next-Generation Fast Landing Craft
Also showcased at the JMU booth was a model of the “Fast Landing Craft,” currently under development in collaboration with BMT, a ship-design and maritime technical consulting firm based in the United Kingdom (UK). JMOD is expecting to procure a total of four of these “Maneuver Support Vessels (機動舟艇)” for the JSDF’s new Maritime Transport Group,[14] a joint unit of both the JMSDF and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) formed on March 24.

The high-speed vessels are designed to offload high-mobility vehicles directly onto shore, and can be expected to form the core of the SDF Maritime Transport Group. This particular unit is tasked with the rapid deployment of JGSDF personnel and equipment to remote islands in Japan’s southwestern region, many of which lack port facilities. This requires the use of the fast landing craft to offload heavy-weight vehicles.

JMU and BMT announced the successful contract award with ATLA in February.[15] BMT is to provide a design based on the extensive research and development conducted for its Caimen series of landing craft. Meanwhile, JMU facilities are set to carry out both production design and construction of the new fast-landing craft set to be delivered to the SDF Maritime Transport Group.
BMT explained to the author that this “significant milestone” in the UK–Japan defense partnership is expected to provide Japan with “a high-speed, agile platform for rapid deployment and mobilisation in contested littoral environments.” The JSDF’s landing craft design, evolved from BMT’s customizable series of Caimen landing craft,[16] is being tailored specifically as a “localised solution that meets Japan’s unique operational requirements.”
BMT also noted that the 30-meter aluminum vessel will feature a tri-bow hull form to enhance seakeeping and beaching performance and is expected to reach speeds exceeding 20 knots. These capabilities are intended to ensure the “rapid deployment and mobilisation of JSDF personnel and vehicles to remote islands in Japan’s southwestern region” and to address the “the challenging geography and the need for agile, high-volume amphibious operations.”
Key specifications for the JSDF’s fast landing craft provided at JMU’s booth this DSEI Japan 2025 were as follows:

The first of the four fast landing craft is expected to be delivered in fiscal 2026, with the Ministry of Defense allocating 5.8 billion yen (approx. 40.3 million USD) for it in the fiscal 2025 budget. The remaining three are scheduled for delivery in fiscal 2027.[17]
In addition to its collaboration with JMU on the JSDF’s fast landing craft, BMT also explained to the author that the company is actively supporting the wider Indo-Pacific region through its partnership with Australia-based Ocius, developer of the “Bluebottle” USV. This particular initiative is expected to revolutionize maritime data collection through the planned global deployment of approximately 1,000 of these autonomous, networked vessels for maritime monitoring and data management.[18]
In 2022, Australia also signed a contract with Ocius to supply the RAN with five Bluebottle USVs, which are capable of long range and sustained autonomous surface and underwater ISR operations. More recently, at this year’s DSEI Japan, Japanese defense officials reportedly expressed interest in the Bluebottle’s autonomous capabilities for submarine detection.[19]
This Japanese interest in the procurement of such cutting-edge unmanned maritime technologies potentially highlights an opportunity to deepen trilateral defense cooperation with both the UK and Australia.
Conclusions: Enhancing JSDF Maritime Operations & Partnerships with New Surface Vessels
All three surface assets, MHI’s AAW- and mine-hunting-capable multi-role frigate, JMU’s disaster relief and autonomous ISR-capable OPV, and the JMU-BMT fast landing craft for offloading land vehicles, are poised to become key components of the JSDF’s efforts to enhance Japan’s maritime security. Moreover, their development is serving as a major impetus for strengthening defense and industrial cooperation with Japan’s key maritime partners in the region: the U.S., Australia, and the UK.
MHI’s FMF AAW frigate, designed with a low-crew requirement of approximately 90 personnel, integrates surface-to-air missiles, anti-submarine warfare capabilities, and support for unmanned surface and underwater systems. This platform not only has potential to help secure the JMSDF’s maritime dominance while reducing reliance on manned operations, but also features alignment with Australia’s requirements for its own next-generation frigate. These include strike capabilities, and integration with maritime combat helicopters. Therefore, MHI’s FMF AAW is a strong candidate for defense collaboration with a like-minded partner in the Indo-Pacific, thereby helping to shape a more desirable maritime environment.
Meanwhile, JMU’s next-generation OPV features a modular design notable for its reported compatibility with Japan’s first autonomous ISR platform: the V-BAT VTOL drone. Integrated with a “ViDAR”, an AI-powered Electro-Optic sensor with an optional Infrared capability, and Shield AI’s “Hivemind” autonomous piloting technology, the V-BAT can be expected to support the OPV in autonomously detecting those targets invisible to conventional radar. Thus, an OPV equipped with a U.S.-developed V-BAT has potential to significantly enhance and sustain the JMSDF’s maritime situational awareness autonomously while also reducing overall manpower requirements.
Finally, the Fast Landing Craft developed by JMU and BMT is set to play a pivotal role in the SDF Maritime Transport Group’s efforts to enhance JMSDF-JGSDF jointness in maritime operations. Within the group’s fleet, which also includes four larger Landing Craft Utilities (LCUs) and two Logistics Support Vessels (LSVs), the high-speed JMU-BMT vessels are arguably the most critical for enabling the rapid dismounting of JGSDF personnel onto Japan’s remote southwestern Nansei Islands. Many of these islands lack ports capable of accommodating larger transport ships, making the Fast Landing Craft essential for deploying ground vehicles in the event of a contingency. Furthermore, this case of industrial collaboration with the UK will contribute to raising awareness among one of Japan’s most important European defense partners regarding the country’s severe security environment and urgent operational requirements.
Notes:
※1 USD = 144 JPY
[1] These three objectives, along with related activities, are also laid out on the website of the JMSDF, “Mission of JMSDF”, https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/about/role/.
[2] Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, “Future Multi-mission Frigate AAW”, leaflet acquired at DSEI Japan 2025.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Andrew Green (2025) Japan vows to prioritise Australia over its own navy with new Mogami warships”, January 29, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-29/japan-vows-to-give-australia-first-access-to-mogami-warship/104868658.
[5] Japan Ministry of Defense (2025) “令和5年度計画哨戒艦 起工式” [Keel-laying ceremony for the FY2023 offshore patrol vessel]. 南関東防衛局広報誌「南関防衛」[South Kanto Defense Bureau Newsletter “South Kanto Defense”], 2025, Issue 44. Available at https://www.mod.go.jp/rdb/s-kanto/pr/nankan/images/nankan44.pdf.
[6] Japan Marine United Corporation, “Offshore Patrol Vessel”, leaflet acquired at DSEI Japan 2025.
[7] Kosuke Takahashi (2025) “海自が初導入する哨戒艦1~4番艦が起工 1、2番艦は早くも11月に進水へ 2027年3月には全艦就役” [Construction begins for the first four patrol vessels of the JMSDF, with the first and second ships set to be launched as early as November and all ships to be commissioned by March 2027]. Yahoo! Japan, April 13, https://news.yahoo.co.jp/expert/articles/e6f2f465d6ca7c251d2dbeaf119bdd71ae3a38dc.
[8] 防衛省 防衛装備庁公式チャンネル(ATLA Official Channel) (2021) “TAKUMI; Crafstmen for Defense Equipment”, July 1, YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9MDaPTtVcY.
[9] Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (2022) “哨戒艦に係る調達の相手方の決定について” [Regarding the decision on procurement partners for offshore patrol vessels], June 30, https://www.mod.go.jp/atla/pinup/pinup040630_02.pdf.
[10] Japan Ministry of Defense, “”哨戒艦” [Offshore Patrol Vessels], https://www.mod.go.jp/j/policy/hyouka/rev_suishin/r04/rev_fin_r05/05-0011.pdf.
[11] Japan Ministry of Defense (2025) “令和5年度計画哨戒艦 起工式” [Keel-laying ceremony for the FY2023 offshore patrol vessel]. 南関東防衛局広報誌「南関防衛」[South Kanto Defense Bureau Newsletter “South Kanto Defense”], 2025, Issue 44. Available at https://www.mod.go.jp/rdb/s-kanto/pr/nankan/images/nankan44.pdf.
[12] Japan Ministry of Defense, “”哨戒艦” [Offshore Patrol Vessels], https://www.mod.go.jp/j/policy/hyouka/rev_suishin/r04/rev_fin_r05/05-0011.pdf.
[13] Japan Ministry of Defense (2022) “DEFENSE BUILDUP PROGRAM”, December 16, https://www.mod.go.jp/j/policy/agenda/guideline/plan/pdf/program_en.pdf, p.55.
[14] Japan Ministry of Defense, “Progress and Budget in Fundamental Reinforcement of Defense Capabilities: Overview of FY 2025 Budget”, https://www.mod.go.jp/en/d_act/d_budget/pdf/fy2025_20250411a.pdf p.9.
[15] BMT (2025) “BMT and JMU awarded Landing Craft contract by Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA)”, February 27, https://www.bmt.org/news/2025/bmt-and-jmu-announce-contract-award-for-japan-self-defense-force-landing-craft/.
[16] For more information on BMT’s Caimen series, see: BMT, “BMT CAIMEN® Family of Landing Craft”, https://hub.bmt.org/bmt-caimen-landingcraft.
[17] Japan Ministry of Defense, “Progress and Budget in Fundamental Reinforcement of Defense Capabilities: Overview of FY 2025 Budget”, https://www.mod.go.jp/en/d_act/d_budget/pdf/fy2025_20250411a.pdf, p.9 & p.30.
[18] BMT (2024) “BMT and Ocius to Revolutionise Maritime Data Collection with Autonomous “Satellites of the Sea”, July 11, https://www.bmt.org/news/2024/bmt-and-ocius-to-revolutionise-maritime-data-collection-with-autonomous-satellites-of-the-sea/.
[19] Corey Lee Bell (2025) “Japan shows interest in Ocius Bluebottles”, May 30, https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/japan-shows-interest-in-ocius-bluebottles.
This article was originally posted on NSBT Japan, the first defense and security industry network in Japan. The publication provides the latest information on security business trends both within Japan and overseas. Asian Military Review began exchanging articles with NSBT Japan in April 2024.
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